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Northern & Southern hemisphere rugby union: the discussion
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<blockquote data-quote="Leonormous Boozer" data-source="post: 762383" data-attributes="member: 45598"><p>Having had a night's sleep on it I've completely changed my mind and don't think there is a requirement for too much change. If we take a look at the NH sides RWC's, ignoring France because they're a shambles, Italy and Wales probably did what was expected of them and there's an argument that Wales overachieved, England failed miserably but that was in the works a long time and Ireland underachieved. However the RWC is a terrible barometer of where we're at because if Ireland and Wales weren't destroyed by injuries it's very conceivable that two NH sides could be in the semi's, I think New Zealand are the only side who could reach this stage with these injuries with the draws Irelabd and Wales had. Our problem is, as I've said in another thread, we relied on the England '03 model of hoping for a great generation of players and leaders matched with a coach who can get them to play to their strengths and hope we get lucky, it doesn't cut it anymore. </p><p></p><p>Results between NH and SH (excluding Argentina because they're an unknown entity in test match rugby with their players playing the NH club season and SH international one) the SH have an advantage they beat us when they're at home and can beat us away, although the EOYT is easier on them than the summer test series are on is imo. So my first change would ideally be season structure, I think playoffs in the league have to be ditched so we can be competetive in our summer tours, surely the best club side is decided over 22 games anyway. This will mean we can compete, win and avoid drubbings for the most part, in our summer tours. Beating them in their own back yard is vitally important as it will give us the self belief and knowledge that we are as good as them, home victories always leave a lingering doubt. Getting rid of the Lions tour would be ideal but that's too commercial at this stage. </p><p></p><p>We also don't need to copy their style of play but we do need at least 12 good footballers on the pitch, the times of forwards not needing to be able to pass a ball is over, honing a style of play that suits our players and that will win games is vital and will work effectively with a team that can play when everything gets a bit loose as well. Developing footballers has to start at U12's rugby at the latest. </p><p></p><p>We are behind but not to the point that we require wholescale change that will keep us behind for ~10 years, our problems can be vastly reduced in the four year cycle and eradicated in 8. We need to lose the belief that they are superior and and that beating them in a one off game is a huge achievement and start getting streaks of victories over them like they do to us and then we need to develop ball players so we have a better calibre of player than them, there's no reason we shouldn't because we have the numbers, and suddenly the only thing we rely on is preparing right and performing on the day and not doing that is very much an Irish problem. </p><p></p><p>Copying them will make us a slightly worse version of them, we need to take what we have along with some of the finer details of what they do better than us so we can beat them. Rugby in the NH has never been innovative, we need to be now or we'll only fall further behind.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Leonormous Boozer, post: 762383, member: 45598"] Having had a night's sleep on it I've completely changed my mind and don't think there is a requirement for too much change. If we take a look at the NH sides RWC's, ignoring France because they're a shambles, Italy and Wales probably did what was expected of them and there's an argument that Wales overachieved, England failed miserably but that was in the works a long time and Ireland underachieved. However the RWC is a terrible barometer of where we're at because if Ireland and Wales weren't destroyed by injuries it's very conceivable that two NH sides could be in the semi's, I think New Zealand are the only side who could reach this stage with these injuries with the draws Irelabd and Wales had. Our problem is, as I've said in another thread, we relied on the England '03 model of hoping for a great generation of players and leaders matched with a coach who can get them to play to their strengths and hope we get lucky, it doesn't cut it anymore. Results between NH and SH (excluding Argentina because they're an unknown entity in test match rugby with their players playing the NH club season and SH international one) the SH have an advantage they beat us when they're at home and can beat us away, although the EOYT is easier on them than the summer test series are on is imo. So my first change would ideally be season structure, I think playoffs in the league have to be ditched so we can be competetive in our summer tours, surely the best club side is decided over 22 games anyway. This will mean we can compete, win and avoid drubbings for the most part, in our summer tours. Beating them in their own back yard is vitally important as it will give us the self belief and knowledge that we are as good as them, home victories always leave a lingering doubt. Getting rid of the Lions tour would be ideal but that's too commercial at this stage. We also don't need to copy their style of play but we do need at least 12 good footballers on the pitch, the times of forwards not needing to be able to pass a ball is over, honing a style of play that suits our players and that will win games is vital and will work effectively with a team that can play when everything gets a bit loose as well. Developing footballers has to start at U12's rugby at the latest. We are behind but not to the point that we require wholescale change that will keep us behind for ~10 years, our problems can be vastly reduced in the four year cycle and eradicated in 8. We need to lose the belief that they are superior and and that beating them in a one off game is a huge achievement and start getting streaks of victories over them like they do to us and then we need to develop ball players so we have a better calibre of player than them, there's no reason we shouldn't because we have the numbers, and suddenly the only thing we rely on is preparing right and performing on the day and not doing that is very much an Irish problem. Copying them will make us a slightly worse version of them, we need to take what we have along with some of the finer details of what they do better than us so we can beat them. Rugby in the NH has never been innovative, we need to be now or we'll only fall further behind. [/QUOTE]
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